An end to auto opt-in charges like scan-sure, travel insurance

[kalniel]

Apparently the EC is going to ban default opt-ins for all e-commerce websites.

David Mair, head of the Commission's consumer markets unit, said figures from a train company had showed take-up of an ancilliary services online jumped from about 20 per cent to more than 60 per cent when the options were ticked by default. Customers were being harmed, he added.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09...air_check_box/

Good news for the consumer in this instance I think, though I'm less favourably inclined towards the other change mentioned at the bottom of that page.

[Funkstar]

You mean opt-out right?

This is good news

[DeludedGuy]

About time.

Pixmania is one of the worst offenders.

[kalniel]

You mean opt-out right?

This is good news

I'd usually call them opt-out, but I think there's a difference between opt-out and something that is purely optional but ticked by default (hence auto opt-in or default opt-in) - I guess I'd view opt-out as the box which says 'tick here if you don't want X'.

[Funkstar]

Using it purely as an example, ScanSure has always been refered to as opt-out, as that is what you have to do. By default it is in your basket, you have to opt-out to change it's state.

Another example, Blood Donation register is opt-in because thats what you have to do to change your membership to it by default.

[Lucio]

Well hopefully Scan will have already seen this news and be planning to make their site compliant with this advisory report.

Several of us did raise this with ChrisP back when it first came in, great idea, badly implimented!

[Clunk]

Well hopefully Scan will have already seen this news and be planning to make their site compliant with this advisory report.

Several of us did raise this with ChrisP back when it first came in, great idea, badly implimented!

Agreed.

[chinny]

I got caught with the Scan opt-out the other day.

+1 hoping they make it opt in.....

[SammEl]

It's just a money making con.

About time this happened.

[TheAnimus]

Yes and no.

The problem is some of these things work better as an opt out.

I think for instance organ doners should be on by default. If your a selfish little bugger, then you should have to do the paperwork.

Also if you did it that way you could fairly apply the same rules to them. Ie no blood or organs if they ever need it with all fairness. Where as too often people only realise the merrit of such things once they have been touched by it.

Scam Sure is probably the same. If I where the underwriter I'd be wanting to lower my risks of having to pay out more than I've recived as much as possible. The easiest way to do that is to increase the group size, assuming the event probability holds.

So for some things, including this un-liked insurance its a good idea.

However it should be clear, and obvious at all times whats going on, not hidden away in small boxes at end of small print.

[Rob_B]

As to how effective it'll be considering rules regarding airline fees have been in place for ages yet they still seem to be flouting them is yet to be seen.

As for people who don't want to donate organs I don't think describing them as 'selfish buggers' is at all fair but that's a whole other discussion!

[Saracen]

I'd usually call them opt-out, but I think there's a difference between opt-out and something that is purely optional but ticked by default (hence auto opt-in or default opt-in) - I guess I'd view opt-out as the box which says 'tick here if you don't want X'.

I'd call it opt-out .... you get whatever it is, unless you explicitly opt-out. Opt-in is where it's available, but you only get it if you explicitly opt to get it.

As for a decision to ban this sort of practice on all websites, if it happens, it'll just prove the EU is actually useful for something.

[shaithis]

Good news indeedy

[no_numb]

Good news

I too would call it opt out but I understand it when written as auto opt in.

[GoNz0]

finally.

[lodore]

wonder if it will cover auto renewels for software cough*norton,mcafee,etc* there is other reasons i dont use those products but thats one of the reasons.